Analysis of the Synergetic Development Degree of the Digital Economy and Green Innovation

High-quality development is the theme of China’s economic and social development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. Digital economy and green innovation levels are closely related to high-quality economic development. The evaluation of the synergy between the digital economy and the development of green innovation is the prerequisite, guidance, and path for promoting the synergetic development of social systems. Therefore, this article first builds an evaluation index system for the digital economy and green innovation, and then uses the improved distance synergy model to measure and study the synergetic development degree of the digital economy and green innovation in 30 regions of China between 2013 and 2017. The findings suggest that the synergetic development degree of China’s digital economy and green innovation is high in the east and low in the west, but the east-west gap is currently narrowing year by year. This article provides guidance for the Chinese government and relevant departments in formulating industrial development policies.